Shimla: Opposition Congress today staged a walkout in Himachal Pradesh Assembly over the state government not recommending a CBI probe into a case of suicide by a girl in which an FIR has been lodged against a senior police officer of the state.

State Congress Chief and MLA Kaul Singh Thakur, through a calling attention motion, raised the demand for a CBI probe into the suicide of 27-year-old Ritu Kalmotia but Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal turned it down saying the state CID was looking into the case which could be recommended to the premier investigative agency if need be.

The girl, who was teaching in a private B-Ed college in Shimla had hanged herself at her home in Tutu on Sunday after her marriage with Siddarth Sarpal, a sub-judge and son of Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Pardeep Kumar Sarpal was turned down by the IG’s family.

On the basis of a complaint by the girl’s family, an FIR was lodged with the Baluganj police station in Shimla on Monday last against the IG, his wife and son for abetment to suicide and destroying evidence from the scene.

Seeing the sensitivity of the case, Director General of Police G S Gill transferred it from district police to the state CID and entrusted the task of probe to IG (CID) O C Thakur. The Congress MLA alleged that call details of the girl’s mobile suggested she had talks with the boy before taking the extreme step.

He questioned the rationale of handing over the probe to a police officer of the same rank (IG) who, he claimed, would not do justice to the inquiry. Thakur also mentioned about 24 similar cases pending with the state women’s commission and asked the government to take an exemplary step by referring the suicide case to CBI.

Dhumal, who also holds the Home portfolio, said the state government would not spare anyone. He said in case the victim’s family was not satisfied with CID probe report it would be referred to the CBI. On reference of 24 other similar cases of love affairs going sour lying with the state women commission, Dhumal said how come the government ban love relations between youngsters.

Dissatisfied with the CM’s reply, Leader of the Opposition Vidya Stokes rose from her seat to make a point but speaker Tulsi Ram did not allow her on the ground the motion was brought by Thakur and only he could speak. On this Congress MLAs walked out shouting anti-government slogans.